The natural law theory is a theory that dates back to the time of the Greeks and great
thinkers like Plato and Aristotle. Defined as the law which states that human are inborn
with certain laws preordained into them which let them determine what is right and what
is wrong.(Bainton 174) This theory was them adapted by religious philosophers to fit the
Christian religion.(Berkhof 114) This, however was not exactly the same as the
original.
The classical thinkers were the first to define the natural law. Heraclitus, in the
sixth century BC, specified one the components by saying, *for all human laws are
nourished by one, the divine.* This meant that a divine power determined a logic and gave
to all humans. (Microsoft Encarta) This definition put this law into direct conflict
with positive laws. Aristotle elaborated on the word natural in relation to law. He
said that a natural law was one that had the same validity for every one and
situation.(Berkhof 268) An example of this would be that a man contemplating murder
would see that it was wrong by his nature. His reason would tell him that to kill
another was unnatural, and therefore wrong. Cicero tries to determine what the actual
law encompassed and he came up with the theory of Stoicism. Stoicism is an
interpretation of the natural law which states that every, single person is a part of the
universe that was created and is ruled by a divine power rationally. To live rationally
and with virtue, according to the Stoics, was to follow one*s nature and reason. Thus,
they deemed emotion and passion irrational, and therefore unnatural. For Stoics, the
wise would be those who excluded emotion and passion from their decision making
process.(Bainton 21-22)
The great Christian philosophers came upon this theory and realized that it was
compatible to their religion. Probably the most famous of them was St. Thomas Aquinas.
He stated in his Summa Theologiae that God gave man the ability to determine the
difference of right from wrong by the *Eternal Law.* This law gave all beings a tendency
to do what was proper or natural. He went on to say that by doing what was right, each
being was in fact using divine reason. The natural law, according to Aquinas, was the
participation in the Eternal Law, doing what was right.(Comptons) Marriage and the
procreation of children, for example, are natural to all beings. The desire to marry and
make offspring is an inborn instinct given by God.
The natural law, in both Christian and secular views, state that all humans act or should
act in certain ways and abide by certain rules, and that these were predestined by a
divine power. The Christian thinkers, led by St. Thomas Aquinas, only added that the
divine power was God and that by doing what was right, one was using divine reason. The
natural law is the essence of the word natural. It just means anything normal or feels
normal is right.
I do agree with most of the natural law. I very much believe that God gave man the
ability to reason right from wrong and that sometimes we just have a feel for what is
right and wrong. I don agree, however, with the Stoics* viewpoint that emotion and
passion are unnatural. They must be natural because they are found in every person.
Also, the emotion of passion is a very desirable trait in the Bible. I think emotions
are one way God tries to tell us what is just.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Bainton, Roland H. Christianity. Houghton Mifflin: Boston, 1987.
Berkhof, Louis. The History of Christian Doctrines. Baker Book House: Grand
Rapids, Michigan, 1990.
Compton*s Encyclopedia. *St. Thomas Aquinas* Britannica Inc.: Chicago, 1989.
vol. 2. pg. 520.
Microsoft Encarta. *Natural Law.*
Works Researched
Bainton, Roland H. Christianity. Houghton Mifflin: Boston, 1987.
Berkhof, Louis. The History of Christian Doctrines. Baker Book House: Grand
Rapids, Michigan, 1990.
Compton*s Encyclopedia. *St. Thomas Aquinas* Britannica Inc.: Chicago, 1989.
vol. 2. pg. 520.
Compton*s Encyclopedia. *Natural Law* Britannica Inc.: Chicago, 1989.
vol. 16. pg. 87-88.
ELibrary, Internet, *Natural Law*
Microsoft Encarta. *Natural Law.*
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